The Men's ODI World Cup 2023 is just around the corner and teams are sweating over the fitness of their key players. A number of stars have been sidelined with injuries in recent weeks and their availability for the tournament is in doubt.

In this blog post, we will have a look at the latest injury updates from around the squads and how players are tracking in their recoveries. We will also highlight the most concerning injuries and what they could mean for the affected teams.

Keep in mind that the World Cup squads can be freely changed until September 28, so teams have some time to make changes if necessary. However, after that date, approval needs to come from the ICC Technical Committee.

So, let's dive into the injury updates and see what the current situation is for each team.

England

Adil Rashid: cramp, should be good for the World Cup
Mark Wood: minor heel injury, looking good and expected to be fit for the World Cup
Jofra Archer: elbow stress fracture, not expected to be part of the final squad but may go to India as a travelling reserve
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes: rested in the fourth ODI, should be fine for the World Cup

Pakistan

Naseem Shah: shoulder injury, likely to miss the entire World Cup
Haris Rauf: side strain, should be fit in time for the tournament
Agha Salman: bruising under the eye, will be fine
Imam ul Haq: back spasm, will be alright well before World Cup

Sri Lanka

Maheesh Theekshana: hamstring injury, ruled out of Asia Cup final but "definitely be ready" for the World Cup
Dushmantha Chameera: shoulder injury, may not quite make the World Cup, but it's touch-and-go
Dilshan Madushanka: oblique muscle injury, struggling to make the World Cup
Wanindu Hasaranga: hamstring injury, should be back in time for World Cup

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal: hip/groin injury, supposed to return in the New Zealand series from September 21
Najmul Hossain Shanto: hamstring injury, unlikely for New Zealand series, targeting the first World Cup match against Afghanistan on October 7
Ebadot Hossain: knee injury, surgery has been completed but he will miss the World Cup

New Zealand

Tim Southee: dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb, timeline for his recovery will be established on Sunday
Daryl Mitchell: dislocated his ring finger but was able to return to the field
Kane Williamson: included in the squad, making good progress in the recovery from his ACL injury but not yet confirmed whether he will be available for the opening match against England on October 5

South Africa

Anrich Nortje: lower back injury, serious concerns around his availability for the World Cup
Sisanda Magala: left knee issue, not yet clear how long he will be out
Temba Bavuma: adductor strain, should be fit for the World Cup

India

Shreyas Iyer: back spasm, not yet fully recovered but still in Sri Lanka. Likely to play three-match ODI series at home against Australia starting September 22

Australia

Pat Cummins: fractured wrist, expected to play in the ODI series against India starting on September
Steve Smith: wrist tendon injury, expected to play in India series
Mitchell Starc: groin soreness, on track to play India ODIs
Glenn Maxwell: ankle soreness, expected to return in India but is being carefully managed
Ashton Agar: calf soreness, due to return for the World Cup warm-ups
Travis Head: left hand fracture, further updates to come
Cameron Green: concussion, further updates to come

Most concerning injuries:

Naseem Shah (Pakistan): shoulder injury, likely to miss the entire World Cup
Ebadot Hossain (Bangladesh): knee injury, surgery has been completed, but he will miss the World Cup
Anrich Nortje (South Africa): lower back injury, serious concerns around his availability for the World Cup
Ashton Agar (Australia): calf soreness, due to return for the World Cup warm-ups but his fitness will be closely monitored
Travis Head (Australia): left-hand fracture, further updates to come but his participation in the World Cup is in doubt